Combined manual, thermostatic, and safety valve unit in burner systems



July 18, 1950 w. E. JENKINS COMBINED MANUAL,

2,515,229 THERMOSTATIC, AND SAFETY VALVE UNIT IN BURNER SYSTEMS Filed May 6, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet l FIE J July 18, 1950 w. E. JENKINS 2,515,229

' COMBINED MANUAL, THERMOSTATIC, AND SAFETY VALVE UNIT IN BURNER SYSTEMS Filed May 6, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 F 1E- IE! WY F 474/ 42 M/ Z .94 J7 F i July 18, 1950 w. E. JENKINS 2,515,229

COMBINED MANUAL, THERMOSTATIC, AND SAFETY VALVE UNIT IN BURNER SYSTEMS Filed May 6, 1947 s Sheets-Sheet s Patented July 18, 1950 COMBINED MANUAL, THERMOSTATIC, AND SAFETY VALVE UNIT IN BURNER- SYSTEMS Wayne E. Jenkins, Santa Monica, Calif., assignor to Domestic Thermostat Company, a corporation of California Application May 6, 1947, Serial No. 746,261

The invention relates to fuel flow controls and more particularly to combined manual shut-oil, thermostatic and safety valve mechanisms for the regulation of flow of gas or other fuel to the main and pilot burners of a water heater or the like, and in which the safety means functions to limit fuel'flow to the main burner to such time only as there is a, continued presence of an igniting flame at the pilot burner.

An object of the invention is to provide a com- Claims. (01. 158-117.1)

bination type of control of the character described in which the several parts are designed, constructed, and cooperate in their functioning in a new and improved manner so as to provide in one compact, accessible and conveniently operating assembly the complete and overall features and characteristics referred to viz: a thermostatic valve functioning and responsiveto the changes in temperature to be controlled in conjunction with a safety mechanism for positively shutting off the flow of fuel to the main and pilot burners upon extinguishing of the pilot flame and which cannot be reoperated to pass fuel to the main burner until after the pilot burner is properly and safely ignited, and a manually controlled valve for setting the unit in shut-off, pilot only, and on positions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide in a combined valve a reset for the safety valve part thereof operating entirely within and contained in the manually adjustable plug cock for displacing the safety valve to inoperative or open position, and means cooperating with the reset to prevent passage of fuel to the main burner at all times upon actuation of the reset irrespective of the positioning of the plug cock but permitting passage of fuel to the pilot burner during such resetting operation in all positions of the cock except the off position thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a combined valve mechanism of the character described a new and improved association of the resetting means and the plug cock whereby the former is entirely contained within the latter and the whole assembly may be removed from the valve mechanism as 9, contained and unitarily adjustable unit.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide in a combined valve mechanism of the character described means for controlling the maximum flow of fuel through the mechanism adjustable from the exterior thereof without affecting the operation of the unit and wherein such means is included as a part of the reset and plug cock assembly above described.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of the device embodying the features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line fl-t of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the device.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the device.

Figure 7 is a side elevational view taken at right angles to the view in Figure 5.

'I'hedeviee embodying the features of the present invention and illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises a, body 6, having formed therein substantially parallel bores or chambers 1 and 8. A fluid inlet is provided at one end of bore I in angular relationship thereto, and an outlet II is afforded at one end of chamber 8 as an extension thereof, the inlet and outlet being formed for connection to inlet and outlet conduits 5 and II! respectively.

As shown in Figure 1, bore 7 is provided at the end thereof adjacent inlet 9 with an electromagnetic safety valve unit I2, comprising, briefly, a valve l3 afiixed to armature M which may be held in attracted position against a magnetic core 56 which is energized by a winding ll connected exteriorily of the device by electrical conductors i8 leading to a pilot thermo-couple l9 heated by the pilot burner 2| of the unit. The end of bore l opposite to the electromagnetic valve unit 12, is enlarged to form a seat for the receipt of a conical plug cock 22, rotatably positioned within the bore and sealing the end thereof.

A passage 23 formed in the body 6 communicates between bore 1 and chamber 8, and completes the conduit for the flow of fuel entering at inlet 9, and thence through the unit and discharging at outlet ll.

With reference to Figure 3, the body 6 is provided with a hollow extension 24 substantially perpendicular to the chamber 8, andintersecting the latter approximately at its mid point, chamber 1 closure plug 52.

8 and extension 24 containing in associated relationship a thermostatic valve unit, responsive to a tempe ature variation exterior thereof, and more parzcularly described in U. 8. Patent No. 2,238,83 ued April 15, 1941 to Sidney P. Vaughn and Wayne E. Jenkins. Briefly, extension 24 is provided with a threaded end 26 adapted for threading into a suitable spud fitting on the tank of a water heater. Carried by the extension 24 for immersion in the water being heated is a conventional type rod and tube thermostatic actuator consisting of a tube 21 threaded into the extension 24 and consisting of a material having a relatively high co-eflicient of thermal expansion and which has secured therein at its outer extremity a rod 23 of a material having a relatively low co-eflicient of thermal expansion. The relative movement of the inner end of rod 28 due to temperature variations is transmitted through a radial lever and snap-disc assembly 23 to a lever 3| which in turn actuates a gas control valve 32 all in the manner more fully described in the aforesaid Patent Number 2,238,837. With reference to Figures 1 and 3, it will be noted that the valve 32 is mounted within a valve chamber 33 located between the discharge 23 and the chamber 3, an annular valve seat 34 for the valve 32 being positioned between chambers 33 and 3. A spring 36 mounted within valve chamber 33 normally urges the valve to its seat 34 upon movement of lever 3| to permit valve closing.

Adjustment of the temperature at which the valve 32 is opened and closed is here obtained in a manner similar to the aforesaid patent by means of an adjusting dial 31 mounted at the front of the device opposite the extension 24 and which on rotation adjusts the relative positions of the snap actuator parts so as to determine the temperature (and accordingly the position of inner end of rod 28) at which snap actuation of the mechanism (and the valve 32) will be efi'ected. The specific mechanism by which the temperature is adjusted is somewhat different than that shown in the aforesaid Patent Number 2,238,837.

As here shown a collar 33 is fixed as by pin 39 to rod 28 adjacent the inner end 4| thereof and the collar is provided with an annular seat 42 for concentrically supportin the inner periphery of snap ring 23a. Additionally collar 33 is formed with a concentric knife edge ful- 2312, the inner periphery of the member 23b being supported on the rod end 4|. The collar 33 and the associated lever and snap ring assembly 23 moves with the inner end of the rod upon temcrum 43 for engaging the radial lever assembly perature variations to and from an adjacent threaded througha closure member 52 for the casing and secured at its outer end to dial 31. i

The closure 52 is preferably provided for access to the interior mechanism of the device and for I assembly of the several parts, and the opening in the casing is desirably sealed off by a diaphragm 53 secured across the opening by the 4 a central aperture surrounding shaft 43 and is secured in sealed relation on the shaft against a shoulder 54 which in turn supports the collar 44 against endwise displacement inthe direction of the dial. The outer end of stub shaft 43 is supported by an end thrust pin 56 which is threaded into sleeve 5| from the outer end thereof. It will now be clear with reference particularly to Figure 3 that on rotation of the dial, say to turn the sleeve 5| inwardly of the device, the stub shaft 43 and collar 44 are carried inwardly so 'as to add a flexing force to the levers 23b. Stated otherwise, in such an inner position of the parts described, the inner rod end 4| and collar 38 need travel a lesser distance to cause a snap actuation of device 23 and a closing of valve 32. Thus the location of collar 44 (and correspondingly the degree of rotation of dial 31) detertion of said latter valve is paramount to the control of flow through the circuit.

As an important feature of the present invention, the plug cook 22 has fixed in the lower end thereof in self-contained relationship, a sleeve 51 providing at they lower .edge thereof a knife edge valve seat 53. Normally and during the continuance of a pilot flame the armature I4 is held in attracted position to core l6 and the valve l3, which is connected to the armature by valve stem 53, is held in open position away from valve seat 58 against the resilient action of a helical spring 3| surrounding the valve stem 53 and normally holding the valve upon seat 53. Upon discontinuance of the pilot flame and de-energizing of core l6, the armature i4 is released from its attracted position and valve I3 is moved by spring 6| to its closed position on seat 58;

In order to reset the safety valve to open position, as to re-light the pilot burner after a failure thereof has occasioned the seating of the safety valve and closure of the fuel passage, it is first necessary to provide a means for selectively diverting fuel flow from the main burner to the pilot exclusively to eliminate the possibility of an explosion due to accumulation of gas prior to the lighting of the .pilot. Such selective control means is provided herein in the form of the hollow plug cook 22, rotatably secured with body 6 by a snap ring retainer 62. A spring 63 compressed between the ring and a recessed shoulder 64 on the plug cock maintains a constant pressure on the cock to seat it in the tapered bore 1 in gas-tight relationship.-

With particular reference to Figure I, plug cook 22 is formed with a hollow portion 66 adjacent the sleeve 51, communicating therewith, and an opening through the side wall of the plug to define a side wall port 61 selectively registering at different positionings of the cock with passage 23. The sleeve 51 is provided with port 63 terminating in a circumferential groove 63 in the cock outer side wall which in turn registers upon appropriate rotation of the cock with a pilot gas passage 1| formed in the body. A needle valve 12 is preferably interposed in a connected passage 13 leading from passage H to an outlet chamber 14 in which a conduit 18. leading to the pilot burner 2|, is secured by means of a compression fitting 11 (see Figures 2, 4 and5).

It will thus be evident that rotation of the cock affords a selective control of gas flow to the pilot and main burner. to place the port 81 in registration with passage 28, gas flow to the main burner is permitted. Likewise upon such positioning, groove 89 is placed in registration with passage 1|. and flow to the pilot is also permitted. This positioning is denominated 0n.

Continued rotation of the cock will rotate port 81 out of communication with passage 28, and will extinguish the main burner by interruption of gas flow thereto. Groove 89, due to its circumferential extent, will still register with the pilot passage 1I however, and such positioning of the cock is denominated Pilot, wherein propagation of flame at the pilot tip alone is permitted. Further rotation of the cock past this positioning will take groove 89 out of registration with-passage 1I, and in such last position of the cock all gas flow through the unit is prevented. This last gas cock positioning is denominated llofi.,

As a means of affording ready rotation to the cock, to and through the various positionings thereof aforesaid, a dial 18 is secured to the cock at the exterior of the body of the control by means of a sleeve 19 threadedly engaged in a bore 8i provided in the cock, the dial preferably being formed with upstanding ears 80 to facilitate rotation. As shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, dial 18 has an open portion affording a window 82 by which the operator may gauge cock rotation against the on," pilot and "off" markings carried by an indicator collar 83 underlying the dial. Indicator collar 83, fixed to retainer ring 62 by a pin 84, is prevented from rotating with the plug cock body and serves as a stationary reference point.

In order to displace the safety valve I9 from seated or closed position incident to relighting of the pilot, there is provided as an integral part of the cook a longitudinally slidable reset stem 86. Stem 86 reciprocates in bores 66 and 8i of the cock, the upper end of the stem being threadably engaged in a collar 81 which is prevented from upward movement by the sleeve nut 19 seating upon an angular flange 88 of the collar 81. A spring 89 is compressed between the collar and a washer 9|, to efiect a gas-tight seal about the reset stem by pressure upon gasket 92 and to normally urge the stem to outwardly or retracted position. A manually operated thumb piece 93 is threadably engaged in the collar above the stem 86, and serves to provide the engaging surface for actuation of the stem.

It will now be clear that depression of the thumb piece 93 (which may, as shown in Figure 6, have the word push delineated thereon) will d splace the reset stem 86 inwardly so as to engage the inner end 94 of the stem against the head 96 of the safety valve stem 59 to thereby displace the safety valve I3 from its seat 58 and move the armature I4 to attracted position on the magnetic core I6. Should the reset stem be depressed at such time as the cock is still in on position, as by an inexperienced operator seek ng Upon positioning of the cock burner might immediately commence with the to introduce a match into the burner housing. I have provided therefore a safety meanswhich is automatically operative upon actuation of the reset stem, which requires no cognizance by the operator, and which is effective irrespective of the setting of the gas cook to prevent gas flow to the main burner. Such means comprises a valve 91, slidably positioned on the reset stem 89, and urgedby a spring 98 against a stop 99 provided on the stem. On'depression of the stem 86 valve 91, faced with a disc IOI of suitable resilient valve facing. material is moved into contact with aknife edge valve seat I02 which, as an important feature of the present invention is provided at the outer end of sleeve 51 as an integral portion of the rotating gas cook 22. It will be noted that this engagement occurs prior to the time the lower end 94 of the stem has contacted and displaced the-head 96 of the safety valve I3 from its closed position upon thevalve seat 58. Continued depression of the stem '86 further displaces the safety valve I3, the stem sliding through valve 91 which remains pressed against seat I02. Retraction of the reset stem before sustained production of a flame at the pilot similarly first permits the safety valve I3 to fully seat before valve 91 is withdrawn from its seat- I2. It will thus be clear that irrespective of the positioning of the cock, valve 91, upon depression of the reset stem, will prevent any passage of gas to the main burner; passage of gas to the pilot burner being controlled by the positioning of the plug cock. Thus in off" po= sition no gas can flow to the pilot; upon rotation of the cock to "pilot or o position and depression of the stem 86 the pilot may be relighted, and'operation of the unit re-established if the flame at the pilot is maintained sumciently to energize the coil I6 and retain the safety valve in attracted position.

As will be evident, the valve 9?, spring pressed upon the stop 99 on the reset stem, will be positioned within the bore of the gas cock in spaced relation to its cooperating valve seat I02 depending upon the extension of the stem within the cock, thus to control the maximum flow of gas through the unit. Advantage is taken of this feature to permit by simple external adjustment the regulation of fuel flow in accordance with the gas pressure in the line with which the unit is used. This adjustment is obtained in the longitudinal extension of reset stem 86 in its supporting sleeve 81, it being noted as above mentioned that the outer end I03 of the stem 86 is threaded into the sleeve 81 and is formed with a screwdriver slot I04 on its end face for ready relative turning and adjustment in the sleeve from the outer open end thereof. The thumb piece 93 threaded'into the outer end of the sleeve normally covers the stem end I03 and prevents accidental changing or tampering with the valve adjustment.

As will be clear from the foregoing and as an important feature of the present invention, the valve cook 22, the reset means 86, the safety valve seat 58, the second safety valve 91 and its seat I02 are all associated in a single sub-assembly contained entirely within the shut-off cook 22, thus all of these parts for manufactur ng efliciency and expediency may be pre-assembled as a sub-assembly in the plug cock and inserted as an operating unit into the body 6. Likewise, where repair or replacement of parts is neces- 7 sa'ry, this sub-assembly may be removed 'as a whole and conveniently repaired or replaced.

The sequence of operations is as follows: As-

suming that the device is set in on position and the pilot flame is accidently extinguished the thermo-couple cools thereby de-energizing core i6, releasing armature I 4 and permitting the safety valve to close under the operation of spring ii. The safety valve being ahead of all of the other'valves in the device thus efiectively shuts off all flow of gas to both the pilot and the main 1 burner. Preferably in re-starting the device, the

dial 18 of the shut-ofl cock is rotated to pilot thepilot' ignited. If a good and steady flame is I obtained at the pilot burner and the reset held sufllciently long for the thermo-couple to be heated, the armature ll will be held inattracted position, thus holding the safety valve open. If the pilot burner does not produce a good and steady flame or if the reset is not held down for a sufficient period to permit heating of the thermo-couple, release of the reset will result in a return of the safety valve I 3 to its closed position, when the starting operation needs to be repeated. After the pilot burner is properly ignited and the safety valve held in open position, the dial of the shut-off cock may be turned to on position when gas flow is permitted to the thermostatically controlled valve 32. Ifthe temperature of the water is below that for which thermostat is set, and therefore calls for heat, the valve 32 will be in open position and gas will flow to the main burner for ignition by the pilot. On the other hand, if the water in the heater is above thetemperature for which the thermostat is set, the valve 32 will be in closed position and gas will flow to the main burner only when the water cools to belowthe setting of the thermostat and the valve 32 is opened. It is important to note that in every operation of the reset mechanism, the second safetyvalve 91 5 is moved to a closed position on its seat I02,

low instructions either through ignorance or neglect will in no way subject the operator or the equipment to a dangerous condition.

7 I claim:

1. In a safety control for a main burner and a pilot-burner in a heat appliance, a casing formed with a valve chamber and having inlet and discharge passages communicating with said chamber and adapted for connection in the fuel l line to the main burner, a rotary gas cook Journalled in said casing in said chamber and formed with a valve seat in an open end communicating with said inlet passage, a second valve seat in said cock posterior to said first valve seat, said cock having a side port registerable upon appropriate rotation with said discharge passage, a valve mounted in said casing for movement to and from said first valve seat, spring means norenergized. by the pilot burner to hold the valve 8 in retracted position when the pilot burner is burning, means carried bysaid rotary cock and manually operable exteriorly thereof to displace the valve to retracted position, and a second valve carried by said'last means and engaging upon operation thereof said second valve seat.

2. In a safety control for a main burner and a pilot burner in a heat appliance, a' casing formed with a valve chamber and having inlet and discharge passages communicating with said chamber and adapted for connection in the fuel line to the main burner, a rotary gas cock journailed in said casing in said chamber and formed with an open end communicating with said inlet passage, said cock having a side port registerable upon appropriaterotation with said discharge passage, a pilot burner passage formed in said casing, said cock having a second port registerable upon appropriate rotation with said pilot burner passage, a valve seat being provided in said cock adjacent the open end thereof, a second valve seat provided in said cockv posterior to said second port, a valve mounted in said casing for movement to and from said first seat,

' means carried by said rotary cock and manually operable exteriorly thereof to move said valve from said seat, and a second valve associated with said last named means and engaging upon operation thereof with said second valve seat.

3. In a safety control for a main burner and a pilot burner in a heat appliance, a casing formed with a. valve chamber and having inlet and'discharge passages communicating with said chamber and adapted for' connection in the fuel line to 5 the main burner, a rotary gas cock journalled in said casing in said chamber and formed with an open end communicating with said inlet passage, said cock'having a side port registerable upon mally urging said valve to seated position, means appropriate rotation with said discharge passage, a valve seat being provided in said cock adjacent the open end thereof, a second valve seat provided in said cook, a valve mounted in said casing for movement to and from said first valve seat for seating and unseating thereon, a reset stem carried by said rotary cock and manually operablg exteriorly thereof to displace the valve to unseated position, a second valve carried by said reset stem and operable upon movement thereof to engage said second valve seat and means to adjustably position said stem and auxiliary valve within the casing to limit fluid flow therethrough.

4. In a safety control for a main burner and a pilot burner in a heat appliance, a casing formed with a valve chamber and having inlet and discharge passages communicating with said chamberand adapted for connection in the fuel line to the'main burner, a rotary gas cock journalled in said casing in said chamber formed with an open-end communicating with said inlet passage, a valve seat insaid cock adjacent said open end, a second valve seat in said cock axially spaced from said first seat, said cock having a side port registerable upon appropriate rotation with said discharge passage, a valve mounted in said casing for movement to and from said first valve seat, a reset stem carried by said cock for reciprocation therein and having a handle portion extending exteriorly thereof permitting manual operation of said reset stem to displace said valve from said first seat, a second valve carried by said reset stem and operable upon movement of said reset stem to displace said second valve to engage said' second seat, a shoulder in said cock journalling said stem for reciprocation therein,

76 spring means cooperating with said shoulder to normally urge said second valve to a predetermined position on said stem and to hold said stem in inoperative position wherein said second valve is spaced from said second seat, the length of said stem being adjustable from the exterior of said casing for determining the spacing between said second valve and said second seat for regulating the fluid fiow therethrough to said discharge passage.

5. In a safety control for a main burner and a pilot burner in a heat appliance, a casing formed with a valve chamber and having inlet and discharge passages communicating with said chamber and adapted for connection in the fuel line to the main burner, a rotary gas cock journalled in said casing in said chamber and formed with an open end communicating with said inlet passage, a valve seat provided in said cock adjacent said open end, a second valve seat in said cock spaced from said first valve seat, a fixed dial mounted in said casing for movement to and from said first valve seat, spring means normally urging said safety valve into engagement with said valve seat, means operative upon the continued presence of flame at the pilot burner to hold said safety valve in retracted position away from said seat, a reset stem mounted in said cock for movement to and from said safety valve for displacing said valve away from said first valve seat, and a second valve carried by said reset stem and engageable upon operation thereof with said second valve seat.

WAYNE E. JENKINS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,201,398 Grayson May 21, 940 2,313,890 Ray Mar. 16, 1943 2,361,944 Jackson et al. Nov. 7, 1944 2,395,470 Ewing Feb. 26, 1944 2,409,947 Mantz Oct. 22, 1946 2,422,368 Ray June 17, 1947 

